In 2024, the WSBA’s Small Town and Rural (STAR) Council launched a pilot program to provide grants to law students participating in summer internships in rural parts of Washington. The purpose of these grants is to assist in building a pipeline of rural attorneys who will help narrow the legal services gap in rural communities throughout the state. What follows are interviews with two of the 2024 grant recipients, Olivia Perez, a third-year law student at Gonzaga University School of Law who interned at the Franklin County Office of Public Defense; and Shaw Lowry, also a third-year law student at Gonzaga University School of Law who interned at the Skagit County Public Defender’s Office.
Note: You can read the full version of this article in the March 2025 issue of Washington State Bar News.
Olivia Perez
Q. You were awarded a rural practice summer internship grant in 2024. What kind of work did you do during your summer internship?
The Rural Practice Summer Internship Grant allowed me to serve as a Rule 9 intern at the Franklin County Office of Public Defense. During this internship, I had the opportunity to assist attorneys with legal motions and research. I also engaged directly with clients, discussing their cases and offering support. One of the most rewarding aspects of the experience was making court appearances.
Q. How did your internship help you grow as a law student and future legal practitioner?
This internship deepened my commitment to public defense and played a significant role in my growth as both a law student and an aspiring legal practitioner. Although I’ve always known that public defense was the right path for me, this experience made me realize how much my skills are needed in rural communities, particularly where there is a shortage of Spanish-speaking attorneys. It also gave me a clear sense of direction for my future and confirmed where I want to start my legal career after law school.
Q. Did the experience make you more or less likely to practice in a rural community after graduation?
My internship increased my desire to practice in a rural community after graduation. Through my time in Franklin County, I saw firsthand the pressing need for Spanish-speaking public defenders in the Tri-Cities. I am now even more determined to return to the Tri-Cities and continue providing support to all those in need.
Q. What are some of the challenges you foresee of practicing law in a rural community?
One of the challenges I anticipate when practicing law in a rural community is assisting clients who miss court appearances due to a lack of access to transportation. Many clients live miles away from the courthouse, and the absence of reliable public transportation in rural areas can make it difficult for them to attend appointments or court hearings. Additionally, securing diversion treatment for clients is challenging, as treatment centers in Washington are limited and often located far from rural areas.
Shaw Lowry
Q. How did your internship help you grow as a law student and future legal practitioner?
As many legal professionals know, hands-on experience can be tricky to come by while in law school. Hands-on experience was plentiful throughout last summer. My internship provided me the opportunity to meet with my clients, to understand the legal issues they were facing, and to speak at length with colleagues for advice and mentorship. In many situations, these opportunities helped me place my clients in a better position. It was incredibly rewarding to help individuals with real life situations after being in a classroom for the last couple years.
Q. Did the experience make you more or less likely to practice in a rural community after graduation?
Decidedly more likely. I’ve been fortunate enough to gain career experience in large cities and small counties across Washington, but I can’t be too far from outdoor activity. Last summer was a nice reminder of this fact. During my weekends, I spent time floating out on the Snake River. I was reminded that as much as I love a day in the city, the ability to drive 20 minutes to a hike, river, or lake is something I can’t forego.
Q. What are some of the challenges you foresee of practicing law in a rural community?
I suppose the flip side of the coin is also social. Reputation is everything in any legal or legal-adjacent work. Where there are fewer individuals working in a specific field, it is entirely possible that I will need to put in the extra legwork to stop bridges from being burned based on personality differences or disagreements.
Q. What would you say to other law school students or graduates who are on the fence about moving to and working in a rural part of Washington?
It goes without saying, but don’t knock it till you try it. There will of course be different positives and drawbacks for everyone, but rural Washington has so much to offer anyone who wants to discover it. Especially if you’re the outdoorsy type, in which case the decision will eventually make itself, in my opinion.
